California drivers with expired registrations now have an additional 30 days to renew them.
California Drivers Get Extra Month to Update Vehicle Registrations
Good news for California drivers! Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that grants an additional month to update vehicle registrations before facing penalties for expired plates. This new law, effective from July 1, 2024, to January 1, 2030, aims to support communities of color who are disproportionately targeted for minor violations.
“Assembly Bill 256,” introduced by Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, provides a 30-day grace period before drivers can be ticketed for outdated registrations. You can read more about it here.
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This law also prevents law enforcement from stopping drivers solely for an overdue registration within the first month of expiration. However, if a vehicle is stopped for another violation, police can issue a ticket for the expired registration before the second month of expiration.
Assemblywoman Diane Dixon highlighted the financial challenges faced by some drivers in renewing their registrations, stating that the average cost of registering a vehicle in California has increased by 66% over the past six years, reaching a staggering $289 in 2023.
It’s worth noting that this law aligns with the California Highway Patrol’s policy of not ticketing drivers during the first month of expired registration. However, fleet vehicles, such as those owned by corporations or government agencies, are not covered by this law.
According to a legislative analysis, stops for minor offenses like expired registrations have been criticized as pretextual stops, used by law enforcement as a pretext for unrelated investigations. These stops have disproportionately affected communities of color.
A 2020 Stanford study analyzing nearly 100 million traffic stops across the country from 2017 to 2021 revealed that black drivers are 20% more likely to be pulled over compared to white drivers. The study also found that motorists of color face a higher frequency of traffic stops and police searches.
The Western Center of Law and Poverty, a nonprofit law firm representing over 4 million Californians living in poverty, has expressed support for this measure. They emphasized the devastating financial impact of excessive debt, license suspensions, towing, and registration holds on low-income communities.
The center hopes that this bill, which received unanimous approval in both legislative chambers, will pave the way for further reforms in fines and fees associated with violations.
How does Assembly Bill 256 contribute to the broader movement for criminal justice reform in California and promote equity in the criminal justice system
Ation. Instead, police officers must have another valid reason to pull over a vehicle, such as a traffic violation or suspicion of criminal activity. This change aims to reduce the number of traffic stops that disproportionately affect communities of color.
Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, the bill’s author, expressed her support for the new law, stating that it will help address the issue of racial profiling during traffic stops. She emphasized the importance of promoting equality and fairness in law enforcement practices.
The bill’s passage comes in the wake of growing concern over racial bias in traffic stops. A recent study conducted by the Stanford Open Policing Project found that drivers of color, particularly Black drivers, are more likely to be stopped and searched by police officers compared to white drivers. The study also uncovered significant disparities in the outcome of these stops, with drivers of color being more likely to receive citations and face additional penalties.
Critics of the previous vehicle registration system argued that it unfairly targeted low-income communities that often faced financial difficulties in renewing their registrations on time. These penalties, which included impounding their vehicles, created a cycle of debt and disproportionate hardship for individuals who were already struggling to make ends meet.
The new law alleviates some of these burdens by providing an extended grace period for updating vehicle registrations. It acknowledges the financial difficulties faced by many drivers and aims to prevent them from being unfairly penalized for an expired registration.
Supporters of the bill argue that it aligns with efforts to reform law enforcement practices and promote equity in the criminal justice system. By addressing the issue of disproportionate traffic stops and penalties, the legislation takes a step towards building trust between law enforcement and communities of color.
The extension of the grace period for updating vehicle registrations is just one initiative in a broader movement for criminal justice reform in California. As the state continues to grapple with issues of racial inequity and bias, legislative measures like Assembly Bill 256 provide hope for a more just and fair society.
In conclusion, the extension of the grace period for updating vehicle registrations in California is a significant step towards addressing racial bias in law enforcement practices. By granting drivers an additional month before facing penalties for expired plates, the state aims to reduce the disproportionate impact of minor violations on communities of color. This new law reflects a larger movement for criminal justice reform and underscores the commitment to creating a fair and equitable society for all Californians.
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